Meet the Team
Our people make the difference.
Barrier-Free's team of experienced staff, interns, and volunteers are dedicated to providing impeccable service. We take the time to get to know you and your families because we believe that, in our field, a personal approach is the best approach. We utilize our staff's individual strengths to ensure each person gets the successful outcome they deserve. We are determined to work hard to earn your loyalty every day. We're here to help you succeed, feel loved, and to have fun. At Barrier-Free, we're not just a service organization, we are family-- and we're always accepting new adoptees!
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Britt Burr, Creative Director, Studio LeaderBritt Burr, baccalaureate of McDaniel College and graduate of Kansas State University, is a Registered Drama Therapist (RDT) with the North American Drama Therapy Association. She specializes in creating and implementing original pieces of theater for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those on the autism spectrum, as well as teaching multiple workshops and classes geared towards and aided with expressive arts.
Britt is also a full-time Academic Counselor for the Student Accessibly and Support Services department at McDaniel College. Utilizing her 10 years of non-profit experience, Britt introduced Barrier-Free to Carroll County with a desire to improve inclusive programming throughout the community. In Britt’s downtime, she can be found attending poetry gatherings with her wife, Lauren, and enjoying DC’s theater scene as well as volunteering for advocacy groups promoting equal rights and social change. Britt can be reached directly via email at BrittBurr@BarrierFreeMD.com |
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Lauren Burr, Executive Director, Studio LeaderLauren Burr is Barrier-Free's operational expert, working in various roles including but not limited to: inclusive programming development, class instruction, social media management, website design, theater production & house management and everything in between. Lauren brings 8 years of non-profit experience to the team and her work has been pivotal to Barrier-Free's growth and expansion.
Holding a M.Ed from American College of Education and a Certificate in Equity and Excellence from McDaniel College, Lauren's 10 years and expertise in the education field translate directly to her work at Barrier-Free. She is a certified DDA Self-Direct Support Broker and passionate about advocating for and working alongside individuals with varying abilities to create a more inclusive world for all. In addition to her work at Barrier Free, Lauren is a the social media and web specialist at Barnesville School of Art & Sciences. Prior to working at The Barnesville School, she spent 5 years teaching with Montgomery County Public Schools in various roles that included classroom, teacher, special education, and ESOL teacher. Lauren is thankful to be part of bringing the Barrier-Free mission to life with such an incredible team! Lauren can be reached directly via email at LaurenBurr@BarrierFreeMD.com |
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Michael Eaton, Assistant Teaching Artist & Self-Advocate, Studio AssistantMichael (Mike) has been performing in Barrier-Free productions for over six years and holds the proud title of being Barrier-Free's first-ever participant. Through his many years with Barrier-Free, Mike has grown from actor, to mentor, and now staff. Mike serves as a community advocate for individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities and autism like himself. He has spoken on several disability panels on what it's like to be a person with autism. Mike is very involved in the community through his work at McDaniel College's Food Service and being a part of Calm Acres at Meadow Creek Farm. He's very excited to have a larger role in Barrier-Free and commits himself to every event and show.
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Gary Jolbitado, Assistant Director, Co. A, Studio AssitantA 40-year story in the making: Gary began performing musicals and plays while in private school. Gary joined Barrier-Free, when asked at the 11th hour to understudy for an actor. Gary only had 3 hours to learn lines and blocking. and, needless to say, it was a hit! At that point, Gary realized his life was missing something – theatre. But, more precisely, helping these very talented people reach their true potential. Since then, Gary's been hooked into Barrier Free and serves as a teaching artist. In addition to his work in the inclusive theater companies, Gary shares his passion for improv by teaching Barrier Free's annual summer improv class. In 2006, Gary was blessed with a son with autism. He can’t say how much working with Barrier-Free has helped him better understand what his son goes through.
You can keep Hollywood or New York! Gary would rather perform with these talented super-stars any day! Pictured: Gary J (left) with son Maxwell (right) |
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Emma Shipley Gribben, Assistant Director, Co. BEmma is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with a passion for using the performing arts to target and improve communication skills. She earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and Deaf Studies in 2017 and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in 2019 both from Towson University. She is currently a Maryland state licensed clinician and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology from the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association. Emma works full-time for Carroll County Public Schools at the high school level and part-time at SPEECH PATHways in Westminster. MD.
Emma is a self-described “theater nerd” and has participated in over 20 productions in the last ten years. She has worked with Special Olympics Maryland to pilot their first performing arts program titled “Plunge into Improv!”. She has also established a budding improvisational theater program for the special education students in the high school where she works in collaboration with the school’s drama teacher. Emma believes each individual has something unique to communicate to the world. If “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” what better place to hone our skills than through performance? Emma is so excited to be a part of the Barrier-Free team! |
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Mike Morton, Music Director, Co. A & BMike Morton, aka "Music Mike," is a musician, teacher, and producer from Glenelg, MD. He has been working with adults with disabilities for the past 6 years and loves every minute of it! He got his BA from the University of Maryland and has taught at Music & Arts and the Damon Foreman Music Academy. Over the years he has been busy performing with various groups around the Baltimore/DC area, and producing music in his home studio. In his free time he enjoys playing chess, reading sci-fi, and hanging out with his birds.
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Jen Shillingburg, Teaching ArtistJen Shillingburg has been working with Barrier-Free of Maryland since its inception in Westminster and has been assisting Britt in drama therapy for adults with disabilities for a bit longer than that. She is also a baccalaureate of McDaniel College, with degrees in theatre and psychology. When not working with Barrier-Free, she is a life skills coach for individuals with disabilities as well as an after-school musical theatre teacher to middle school students where she and her co-teacher create original scripts for their end-of-term performances.
Jen can be seen in rehearsals, on the stage, and running around backstage during performances moving the scenery, pulling the curtain, aiding actors, and selling raffle tickets during intermission. Barrier-Free is well worth the extra cardio |
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Kelsey McKenney, Teaching ArtistKelsey McKenney has filled many roles at Barrier-Free including music director, mentor, scene leader, and one-one-one support counselor. She works full-time at Target Community & Educational Services as a Program Coordinator for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatics Academy. Her love of music stems back to being a three year old swinging on the porch and singing songs with her Aunt Mem. Kelsey also gives back to the community in her role as Vice President/Co-founder of Player's on Air, a theatrical arts company based in Carroll County, MD. Kelsey would like to thank God, her family and friends, and the love of her life, John, for all of their continuous support!
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Evan Darr, Assistant Teaching ArtistEvan Darr is a sophomore majoring in psychology at McDaniel College. This will be his second year working with Barrier-Free after serving as an intern for the 2019 - 2020 season. Evan has always gone above and beyond the call of duty for Barrier-Free by taking on extra responsibilities that include set painting, social club mentoring, and more. Outside of classes, Evan is a member of the McDaniel tennis team and Alpha Phi Omega - a co-ed service fraternity. In his free time, he likes to hang out with friends and family, watch sports, and listen to some classic rock music. Evan is super excited for his second year working with Barrier-Free!
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Ashley Adams, MentorAshley Adams is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication, from the University of South Carolina and earned her Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, from American University. She currently works in Retail Management. Ashley was first introduced to Theater in middle school while taking a drama course as an elective. She honed a new skill of acting and fell in love with the creativity of theater and her ability to easily memorize lines. Throughout her 15-year theater experience, she has performed in numerous plays, has developed various acting techniques, learned to engage an audience, and has served as President of many drama clubs. In her free time, she enjoys shopping and cuddling with her 14-year-old pet son, 'Boo Boo.'"
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Emilyanne Wachter, BloggerEmily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a healthcare social worker. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.
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Laura Stall, Production AssistantLaura is very excited to be working with Barrier-Free! Laura has always been passionate about working with people with disabilities, and after volunteering backstage for a few Barrier-Free shows, they decided they wanted to do more. Laura assists with many production elements including backstage management, rehearsal assisting, and actor support. Laura attends many social clubs, and loves spending time with our Barrier-Free-ers!
Outside of Barrier-Free, Laura works as a counselor for The Arc of Montgomery County. You can also find them writing a story, as they recently graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Goucher College. They are always writing, and very excited to use their skills to help Barrier-Free grow! |
The only thing missing... You!
Barrier-Free 2019 - 2020 Inclusive Theater Season interns and staff.
